KABUL (SW): David Sedney; the new Acting President for the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) has urged upon the Afghan government to reach out to the new U.S. Administration under the President-elect Donald Trump.
David said this at the Afghanistan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) while pondering over the prospects for Afghanistan under the new leadership in Washington. Last week, the AISS organized a roundtable discussion titled “Assessment of the results of US election for Afghanistan”.
The new Acting President for the AUAF has served as Assistant Secretary of Defence for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia (2009-2013) and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Kabul (2002 and 2003-2004).
Sharing his thoughts, he pinned hope for improved U.S-Afghan ties under the Trump administration. He added that considering the ground realities, it is highly likely that the President-elect Trump might not go ahead with some of his slogans that he raised during the election campaign.
Mohammad Ismaeel Qasimyar, advisor to the High Peace Council (HPC) on foreign affairs, who was also present on the occasion, agreed with notion. He told Salam Watandar that Trump might bring some changes to the U.S’ foreign policy but it is unlikely to fundamentally alter the course of affairs.
In his remarks, David Sedney made it clear that the U.S. forces in Afghanistan are here to curb terrorism, and they pose no threat to countries like Russia and China. He viewed that the new U.S. administration might maintain the troops’ level in Afghanistan. It is worth noticing that some 10, 000 American soldiers are present in Afghanistan.
ENDS